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Role of miRNA Gene Variants (miR-22 and miR-155) as the Factors Affecting Susceptibility to Panic Disorder
Zeynep Yegin1, Gokhan Sarisoy2, Ahmet Uzun2
1Medical Laboratory Techniques Program, Vocational School of Health Services, Sinop University, Sinop, Turkey.
Objective:
Variants within genes encoding microRNAs (miRNAs) may alter the expression of both miRNAs and their target genes, thus contributing to the etiology of psychiatric disorders. The involvement of miRNAs in neuronal differentiation and synaptic plasticity supported this hypothesis. We aimed to investigate the links between miR-155 rs767649/miR-22 rs8076112 and the risk of panic disorder (PD) in a sample of Turkish population.
Methods:
In this experimental study, 134 PD patients and 140 healthy controls were recruited. Genotyping was carried out using Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. To evaluate PD phenotypes, Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) was also administered to patients to clarify possible associations between the scale and risk variants analyzed.
Results:
The genotype analysis of miR-155 rs767649 did not show an association with PD risk and it was not related to the disease severity. For miR-22 rs8076112 variant, a statistically significant association was determined; CC genotypes were lower in patients compared to controls. Logistic regression analysis proved the highly protective effect (80.4%) of CC genotype against PD (p = 0.041; OR = 0.196, 95% CI = 0.041-0.934). Though its significance in disease liability, miR-22 rs8076112 was not associated with the disease severity.
Conclusion:
Our findings firstly report the combined analysis of miR-155 rs767649 and miR-22 rs8076112 in PD in terms of both disease susceptibility and severity. These findings await replication in independent cohorts with enrichment of other miRNA gene variants. Thus, certain miRNAs and their target genes involved in the etiology and phenotypes of PD could be enlightened.
Insights
Genetic variants in microRNAs (miRNAs) are linked to psychiatric disorders. The miR-22 rs8076112 CC genotype shows a protective effect against panic disorder (PD) risk in a Turkish population.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and are implicated in neuronal development and plasticity.
- Genetic variants in miRNA genes may influence susceptibility to psychiatric disorders like panic disorder (PD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between miR-155 rs767649 and miR-22 rs8076112 variants and the risk and severity of panic disorder (PD) in a Turkish population.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of 134 PD patients and 140 controls using Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).
- Assessment of PD severity using the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS).
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between miR-155 rs767649 and PD risk or severity.
- The miR-22 rs8076112 CC genotype demonstrated a statistically significant protective effect against PD risk (OR=0.196, p=0.041).
- miR-22 rs8076112 was not associated with PD severity.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first combined analysis of miR-155 rs767649 and miR-22 rs8076112 in PD susceptibility and severity.
- The miR-22 rs8076112 variant may play a role in PD etiology, warranting further investigation.
- Replication in independent cohorts is needed to confirm these findings and explore other miRNA gene variants in PD.
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